CJI Surya Kant Told Young Lawyers: Don’t Chase Social Media Stardom Recently, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant gave some clear advice to the newly inducted Advocates-on-Record (AOR) from the 2025 batch about the functioning of the current legal world, including being mindful of the lure of social media.
In the welcome function for AOR, CI Surya Kant cautioned newly sworn-in advocates against trying to seek validation on social media. He stressed that earning renown online cannot, under any circumstance, equates to actual legal skill. In a society often driven by immediate gratifications and digital validation, numerous younger entrants into law often aspire to gain rapid acknowledgment in public through internet clout. However, CJI Surya Kant pointed out that genuine respect in the legal fraternity doesn’t originate from likes, clicks, or follows online but from the hard work conducted in courtrooms and chambers. “You do not have TV channels running… TRP does not really help here,” the Chief Justice stated.
Why online visibility is different from real credibility During his address to the AOR batch, CJI Surya Kant highlighted the ease with which individuals nowadays can achieve instant fame on social media and internet platforms. He said anyone can go “viral” overnight or become so well-known over a period. Despite their fleeting nature, such forms of fame have a way of dissipating quickly, unlike the decades-long reputation built from diligently practicing law. As the CJI elucidated in his speech, recognition for an advocate doesn’t come from an individual’s internet following but from their competence displayed in the courtrooms; this includes being well-prepared during all stages of legal proceedings. “The name is also read… The first is if [you are] prepared enough to know every aspect of your matter then they are all looking at it… The way he knows every bit of it, very respectfully, and that kind of respect is carried for decades,” the Chief Justice explained
. Background of recent courtroom incidents and agitations CJI Surya Kant’s statements come following a few recent contentious developments within and outside courts, most prominently:Recent case in court where CJP and agitators on street: An issue pertaining to groups like Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) carrying out protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi regarding exam paper leak scams has recently reached the Supreme Court, where the matter was denied an immediate hearing, with CJI Surya Kant indicating that the Bench had no time to view protest videos during court hours. Another infamous incidents of law students misbehaving: Furthermore, two law students were recently booked by the police for causing a commotion in the apex court. One student inappropriately vocalised profanities and threw papers in the vicinity of the Bench. CJI Surya Kant however adopted a mellow approach in his reaction to the booking under relevant sections of law, advising them to treat such outbursts as youthful indiscretions and to pass them off. Such events bear testament to an apparent trend where young students and practitioners try to seek undue attention or voice their concerns through more vociferous methods, rather than opting for the due procedure. Cautions against overreliance on Artificial Intelligence CJI Surya Kant also emphasized the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools on legal practices, noting how many young lawyers are leveraging AI to generate petitions and other legal documents due to the time it saves them. While acknowledged that AI could serve to streamline the process of drafting certain documents like finding previous judgments or readings of large books more conveniently
. Still he has alerted all lawyers and advocates to not to become overtly dependent on the Artificial Intelligence. According to the chief justice, a client hires an advocate considering human thought and a compassionate mind. An individual’s mental turmoil, their anguish, and their problems are well-understood by an individual as against a computer program. All individual judgments, arguments, petitions that are filed in court bear the lawyer’s intellectual input, an aspect no amount of algorithmic assistance can replicate. The duty of advocates towards legal aid Becoming an advocate-on-Record in the apex court is an achievement in the legal fraternity, nonetheless it encompasses responsibility.
CJI Surya Kant underscored that simply enhancing one’s financial standings, fame, or cultivating a prominent professional profile isn’t all there is to becoming AOR. The CJI appealed for an increased engagement in pro bono work and assigned the newly appointed AOR members an obligation to render justice through legal aid services to needy and deprived individuals and sections, particularly in higher courts.”I said that when such poor, downtrodden and marginalized people seek out an AOR, they really have no hope but to be represented by such advocates… there isn’t a case where, given the opportunity when these cases will be listed… you won’t get a case where you can serve such a deserving cause or such a noble cause and help our indigent brethren,” CJI said. Learning the craft of legal drafting “When I started I was put out from my seniors’ offices on some condition to prepare my cases… by preparing my case (drafting a petition), it’s
, at the back of head, how that case started from first till last,” CJI Surya Kant said in his address, attributing his initial success to diligent drafting. He advised young lawyers to dedicate sufficient time to crafting impeccable legal documents, because when judges read through petitions prior to cases being presented in court, it’s the well-constructed draft that leaves an immediate impact.
If an attorney has prepared carefully while producing excellent drafting for the court, then judges might get enthusiastic to proceed. Hence, new entrants must utilize considerable hours on drafting, instead of rushing with the preparation of the paper and writing part.
The real way to build a legal career Most successful careers don’t achieve lasting significance through social media tricks or flashy courtroom antics. The Bar Council of India itself has recently taken steps to address lawyers engaging in excessive self-promotion, videos of court proceedings, and other actions that commodify the profession, treating legal practice like a reality show. “You don’t have to be a social media influencer. Instead, practice in the highest court on principles of justice, equality, liberty,” the CJI exhorted young advocates. In other words, lawyers must go back to the fundamentals. Immerse yourselves in case law. Refine your ethical standards. Learn to present arguments effectively with grace and respect within courtroom proceedings, and take time to mentor by interning with or under senior advocates. That’s how respect is genuinely built – one cog in the wheel of jurisprudence at a time. The final takeaway lesson from CJI Surya Kant: “The respect that you build up, that’s… that’s with you for life. Not clicks of ‘you tube’ or ‘likes’ for that matter. The world will just love and cheer you for a brief while for your gimmicks… but no one would want you here for life”. The following videos will provide further insights into recent court proceedings and student behaviour related to ongoing legal agitations:Analysis of CJP Protest VideoCJP Protest Supreme Court, CJI Surya Kant |Delhi Police |Abhijeet Dipke at 73K views by Republic Bharat
